Cedarville Magazine Summer 2022

If the family is seen by the federal government as not having the means, they will be eligible for the Pell as well as supplemental Pell dollars. Then if a student still needs to take out loans, if they are eligible for Pell, all student loan programs typically start with the federal loan program because it is one of the lowest interest rate programs available to students and families. What challenges, if any, does the University face in participating in federal aid programs? SVL: I’m not aware of any direct challenges that we face now, but there are societal pressures. Should there be lawsuits that would remove our tax-exempt status, then that would remove our ability to participate in the federal aid program. We make the programwidely available to all our students so if it were to go away, we would need to fill in that gap for students. How is the university preparing if it should have to step away from federal funding in the future? WS: Two of the four priorities of One Thousand Days Transformed: The Campaign for Cedarville address the need for resources to continue providing an excellent education and intentional discipleship in submission to biblical authority for the next generations of students. First, our challenge is making sure every student who desires a Cedarville education can afford to enroll and graduate unencumbered by excessive debt. Gifts provide an affordable and accessible pathway for students to be transformed by a Cedarville education. Second, institutional sustainability is a critical component of the campaign. Cedarville is committed to standing firm against cultural headwinds, and estate and planned gifts provide assurance that financial giving will continue well into the future. Cedarville is on strong financial footing. How can donors ensure that this continues for the generations to come? WS: The strong financial position of Cedarville is attributed wholly to the grace and mercy of God. We are simply stewards of His great generosity of sending students, providing world- class faculty and staff, and blessing us with incredible financial partners. And while Cedarville may be in a season of unprecedented growth, we are in full reliance upon the Lord to provide donors who are committed to the mission and vision of the institution. As donors respond generously to the kingdom advancement taking place at Cedarville, we will continue to steward every gift for the glory of God and the sustainability of the institution. SVL: Adding to Dr. Smallwood’s thoughts, I would say when donors give to scholarship funds that go directly to students through endowment, they’re helping ensure financial stability. Endowments are funds that the university manages that bear interest, and as they bear interest, that interest is returned in scholarship dollars, and those scholarship dollars go directly to students, while the endowment continues to grow and is there for perpetuity. If Cedarville can grow its endowment, it would make a Cedarville education affordable and attainable for students even beyond where we are today. How can donors support scholarships? WS: There are three major initiatives at Cedarville University that provide scholarships for students. § First, the Cedarville Fund allows us to keep tuition low and budget scholarships through annual gifts. These gifts provide immediate funds for pressing needs. § Second, donor-funded annual scholarships provide resources to worthy students on a yearly basis. Pending their desire, donors can renew these gifts each year. § Third, endowed scholarships provide consistent, reliable funding for students with financial need or who demonstrate academic excellence. How can they start a scholarship? WS: Starting a scholarship begins simply with a desire to make a transformative difference in the lives of students, and the scholarship types noted previously allow donors to jump in at any funding level. Once a commitment to assisting students has been made, the advancement team is available to assist in accomplishing your philanthropic goals. We will walk you through every step of the process from determining the type of scholarship to selecting the criteria for recipients. To learn more how you can establish a scholarship fund, contact Kate Cooper, Cedarville’s scholarship and annual giving manager, at kcooper@cedarville.edu or call 937-766-3219. We would love to be able to make a Cedarville education available to any student or family who feels God directing them our way. Scott Van Loo ADVANCING CEDARVILLE 24 | Cedarville Magazine